Ambulance To Be Stationed In Edom

EDOM—The community of Edom received a special Christmas gift this year. Ambulance service will be available locally beginning February 1.

This is a significant change for the people of the area, that have grown accustomed to lengthy waits due to the nearest ambulance being stationed 13 miles from downtown Edom, and several miles farther for the large number who live in outlying areas.

When the new Edom Volunteer Fire Station was constructed, the design was such that it could accommodate an ambulance and its crew. At that time, it was only a hope and a dream, but that dream is coming to fruition.

The prospect of having a local ambulance began to unfold during negotiations for a county ambulance contract between the Van Zandt County Commissioners and ambulance service providers, Champion EMS and ETMC.

The commissioners appointed two local citizens from each of the four precincts within the county to form an ad hoc committee charged with investigating and making a recommendation.

Following a unanimous endorsement from the committee for Champion EMS, the Van Zandt County Commissioners awarded the contract to Champion.

Appointees from the Edom/Ben Wheeler area were Dr. Dwayne Collins and Kerry Hargrove. After the award of the contract, the two men began earnest negotiations with Champion EMS to station a full-time ambulance at the community’s fire station. An agreement was reached, and the space the crew will occupy is already undergoing finish-out construction.

An ambulance located within a few minutes is something that residents of more populous areas take for granted. But Edom citizens are excited to have this opportunity.